Introduction: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatidosis is one of the most common diseases between humans and livestock that humans are considered as an accidental host. This disease has spread globally, especially in the Mediterranean region, including Iran. To the best of our knowledge, no specific research has been conducted to investigate the epidemiological status of this disease in Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. Therefore, this study was performed to achieve that aim for the first time. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of hydatid cyst among patients (n = 773) referring to Zahedan health centers within 2019-2020. Zahedan health centers were classified into five geographical regions. The sampling process from each area was conducted using a simple randomized cluster method. The correlation between seropositivity and risk factors was evaluated using the Chi-square test. Results: The seroprevalence of hydatid cyst in Zahedan city was estimated at 3.6% (28 out of 773 samples). It was found that females were affected by this infection more than males, and the highest hydatid cyst seroprevalence rate was revealed in the age group of 31-50 years and the northeastern area of Zahedan. Although age, gender, vegetable consumption, soil contact had no significant influence on the risk of CE infection (P-value>0.05), the relationship of keeping dogs in the household and the presence of stray dogs in a living environment with seropositivity to CE was significant (P-value<0.05). Conclusion:The findings of this study showed that human hydatid cyst was common in Zahedan. Therefore, the implementation of preventive and hygienic principles, especially the presence of dogs in the household or stray dogs in the environment, should be a priority. Moreover, the various epidemiological aspects of this disease in Zahedan city should be taken into consideration.

Background: Stillbirth is an important economic, cultural, and health index that has a higher prevalence in developing countries. Objectives: The present research was conducted to determine the pre-pregnancy risk factors of stillbirth in Iran. Methods: This research is a national population-based case-control study on the risk factors of stillbirth in Iran. A total of 3,085 women presenting to public healthcare centers of ten provinces/cities of Iran entered the study, including 1,459 women who their last pregnancy ended in a stillbirth as the case group and 1,626 women who their last pregnancy ended in a live birth as the control group. Data were collected with a researcher-made questionnaire and were then analyzed by SPSS-19 using the chi-square and the logistic regression tests. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The results revealed a relationship between the last pregnancy ending in a stillbirth and a previous history of stillbirth (OR = 2.64, CI: 1.81 -3.85, P = 0.001), miscarriage (OR = 1.57, CI: 1.21 -2.03, P = 0.001) irregular menstruation (OR = 1.29, CI: 1.02 -1.64, P = 0.029), age over 35 (OR = 1.58, CI: 1.17 -2.14, P = 0.001), low level of education (OR = 3.50, CI: 2.30 -5.33, P = 0.001), and the use of oral contraceptives. Conclusions: There are several risk factors for stillbirth, including a previous history of stillbirth, miscarriage or irregular menstrual cycle, most of which can be controlled through pre-pregnancy training. Educational interventions are, therefore, required to improve the knowledge of women at childbearing age and preventive measures should be taken to reduce the number of stillbirths in pregnant women.

Introduction. Toxoplasmosis is one of the protozoan diseases caused by Toxoplasma gondii. This study is aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the population referred to rural and urban health care centers in Zahedan, southeast Iran. Methods. A total of 1,324 blood samples of patients referred to the health care centers were evaluated using the IgG Toxoplasma ELISA Kit, between October 2019 and August 2021. The obtained data were analyzed through univariable and multivariable regression models. Results. The seropositivity of Toxoplasma gondii infection was obtained at 18.8%. In the multivariable logistic regression model, risk factors including age group of 11-30 ( OR = 3.25 , 95% CI: 1.29-7.06), urban residency ( OR = 4.36 , 95% CI: 2.9-6.3), students ( OR = 3.76 , 95% CI: 1.88-4.53), and contact with cat ( OR = 7.67 , 95% CI: 4.76-12.36) were significantly associated with seropositivity to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Moreover, consumption of washed vegetables with salt or detergents decreases ( OR = 0.14 , 95% CI: 0.09-0.23) the risk of Toxoplasma gondii infection. According to the results of the multivariable logistic regression, no significant association was observed between seropositivity to Toxoplasma gondii and other risk factors. Conclusion. The results of this study indicated significant seropositivity to Toxoplasma gondii infection in the population referred to rural and urban health care centers in Zahedan, Iran. Therefore, health programs should be considered for raising awareness regarding the risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in this region.

Background: Both Gestational diabetes and hypertension almost affect 10.5% of the pregnancies. This study was conducted to investigate and compare the pregnancy outcomes in women with gestational diabetes or high blood pressure with outcomes belonging to healthy mothers. Methods: This population-based case-control study was conducted in 8 provinces and two cities of Iran on women referred to the public health centers during 2015 to 2018. Descriptive statistics for variables presented by percentages and frequencies and logistic regression analysis was used to analyze data at a significance level of less than 0.05. Results: Some variables such as ethnicity, maternal education and age, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and previous pregnancy outcome were significantly associated with stillbirth. Maternal age greater than 35 yr (OR=1.78, CI: 1.29-2.48), maternal illiteracy (OR=3.67, CI: 2.25-5.98), a previous stillbirth (OR=9.92, CI: 4.98-19.78), gestational diabetes among women who had never had a screening test (OR =3.91, CI: 2.96-5.18) and high blood pressure (OR =1.95, CI: 1.38-2.77) were important factors associated with stillbirth. Maternal and paternal occupation, paternal education and age, place of residence, smoking and maternal BMI were significantly associated with stillbirth. Conclusion: Gestational diabetes, hypertension, a previous miscarriage, stillbirth, first pregnancy, low education level, advanced maternal age and ethnicity were associated with an increased risk of stillbirth. It is necessary to provide high-quality healthcare services before and during pregnancy particularly for those at heightened risk and improve knowledge of mothers on the side effects of each of the mentioned risk factors in order to control these factors more effectively and thus reducing the risk of stillbirth.

Background: Maintaining patients’ safety is a basic professional role of radiographers. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the technical, protective, and technological operation of interventional radiologists. Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the protective and technical performance of radiographers and their knowledge and expertise. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 60 radiographers working in radiology wards of hospitals affiliated to the Zahedan University are included. A checklist whose reliability and validity were previously established was used to collect data. For the radiography staff, 17 technical and 12 protective items were checked and recorded during three work shifts. Data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: The performance score of 27 males (45%) and 33 females (65%) was assessed. Seven factors of radiology staff, including gender, employment status, age, work experience, number of shifts, Work Shift, and Education, were evaluated, and that number of shifts was statistically significant. Conclusions: The radiographers’ awareness of technical and protective principles was at a medium level. Increasing attention to the quality of academic training and continuous education is necessary.